Csamillerp is right. How did playing defense to a siege work for Pemberton at Vicksburg and Lee at Richmond/Petersburg?

Davis was wanting Hood to try to hold Atlanta at least until the Northern elections in November, hoping Lincoln would lose to McClellan.

All of Hood's attacks attempted to catch portions of Sherman's army detached from the main army. They were also intended to strike while the Federals were moving and before they could entrench. And they were also designed to be attacks on the flanks and rear of Sherman's targeted corps.

Hood did about all any outnumbered commander could have done. He was ordered to fight to save the city and that's what he did.